After a dominant victory over William Zepeda, Shakur Stevenson acknowledges that he has yet to show his full potential and responds to criticism with a promise: the best is yet to come.
WBC lightweight world champion Shakur Stevenson emerged victorious in his fight against Mexican William Zepeda, held at the Louis Armstrong Stadium in New York.
Although the result was overwhelming, being a unanimous decision with scorecards of 118-110, 118-110 and 119-109 for the American, Stevenson himself admitted that he was not completely satisfied with his performance. During the post-fight interview, the Newark boxer was clear:
It wasn’t the performance I was looking for. I went into the ring with the intention of proving a point, to fight more aggressively, and that’s why I took more punishment than usual.
His aim was to silence those who accuse him of being too defensive, and that is why he chose to trade blows with Zepeda, a rival known for his volume of punches and aggressiveness.
Criticism and self-criticism
Despite his victory, Stevenson did not escape scrutiny. Former interim champion Ryan Garcia was one of the first to react on social media:
Shakur didn’t run this time, but he didn’t fight someone with real power either.
However, the numbers tell a different story. Zepeda came into the fight with an impressive knockout percentage of 82% in his first 33 professional fights, which contradicts the perception that he lacks power. Even so, Stevenson managed to neutralize him with his technique and precision, proving once again why he is considered one of the smartest boxers on the circuit.
A promise for the future
Far from being satisfied, Stevenson made it clear that his evolution does not stop here
My best version has not yet arrived
This statement not only responds to criticism, but also raises expectations about what he can offer in his upcoming fights.
With this victory, Stevenson successfully defended his title for the third time since winning it in November 2023. His professional record now stands at 24-0, cementing him as one of the most solid undefeated champions of the moment.
What’s next for Shakur?
The landscape in the lightweight division is full of interesting names: Gervonta Davis, Vasiliy Lomachenko, Devin Haney and Ryan Garcia. Stevenson has expressed his desire to face the best, and after his performance against Zepeda, many are hoping that his next fight will be against a more powerful and renowned opponent.
In addition, his style, a mixture of impeccable defense and calculated attacks; continues to generate debate among fans and experts. Some consider him a genius in the ring, while others ask for more spectacle. Stevenson, for his part, seems determined to find the balance between both.
Shakur Stevenson proved against William Zepeda that he can adapt, take risks and dominate a dangerous opponent. But most importantly, it’s his attitude: he’s not content to just win, he wants to impress. And if he delivers on his promise to show his best in the future, the boxing world could be about to witness something truly special.
Read the full article here
